Soccer notebook: 'The Oven' a hot topic with Dynamo, MLS

By jose de jesus ortiz |
June 1, 2012
| Updated: June 1, 2012 11:54pm

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham wasn't a fan of the early start time when he faced the Dynamo last week at BBVA Compass Stadium

"The Oven" is too hot.

It didn't take long for 3-week-old BBVA Compass Stadium to get a nickname, and "The Oven" fits perfectly.

Unlike Minute Maid Park and Reliant Stadium, there is no retractable roof at the soccer-specific stadium. If you've played any level of soccer, you realize you cannot expect the best soccer in the middle of the afternoon in the Houston heat.

Los Angeles Galaxy star David Beckham, the former England captain and Manchester United and Real Madrid great, knows soccer. The international icon was adamant that the 1:50 p.m. kickoff time last Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium wasn't good for the players, fans or the quality of play.

"Whoever schedules these games in Houston at 2 o'clock in the afternoon doesn't know anything about the game," Beckham said.

Beckham isn't the first to voice his concerns, but he's definitely the biggest name. More importantly, he's not alone.

"The games can be unsafe if you don't prepare properly with the right hydration," Dynamo all-time leading scorer Brian Ching said. "The day games are more physically demanding and not as fast-paced.

"It makes it hard on the fans as well who at times can't stand sitting in the stands. Guys are losing between 5 and 10 pounds a game."

Home cooking

As much as the Dynamo love their home-field advantage, most of them hate afternoon games at home. Portland Timbers coach John Spencer, a former Dynamo assistant, made similar comments after the teams tied in the first night game at BBVA Compass Stadium last month.

Every Dynamo match at home has had a sellout crowd, but you couldn't tell on television.

That's what happens when thousands of fans crowd into the concourse to watch the game on television, as was the case last Saturday and in the opener.

In the league's defense, MLS officials scheduled the BBVA Compass Stadium opener and the Galaxy game in the afternoon to showcase the stadium and Dynamo fans on national television.

"We've voiced our concerns about afternoon games before," coach Dominic Kinnear said. "It's part of the TV schedule, so it's not like we are scheduling these on our own. This is the schedule we've been given. I think it can be dangerous for the players. I think if you schedule games in the afternoon in Houston any time after the middle of May, I think it's a bad idea."

The Dynamo have one of the best stadiums in MLS. It is the league's only facility in a major metropolitan U.S. downtown. MLS is proud of the new $95 million stadium.

But afternoon games in Texas are dangerous for fans and players.

Health concerns

At the opener, Thelma Bustamante of Kingwood passed out 15 minutes into the first half. She and her family left at halftime.

Last Saturday several fans sought medical help because of the conditions in the stadium.

"We had a handful of heat-related medical calls," said BBVA Compass Stadium general manager Doug Hall.

Dynamo president Chris Canetti noticed the fans crowding the concourse during the match against the Galaxy.

"I would say the conditions at the stadium on Saturday for the L.A. Galaxy game were not conducive to a good environment for soccer, the players and the fans," Canetti said. "We're working very closely with league officials to ensure that all games in the future during hot-weather seasons are scheduled during evening hours."

Unfortunately for the Dynamo, their next game at BBVA Compass Stadium is June 16 against FC Dallas at 4 p.m. The team is lobbying the league to move that kickoff time back a few hours. Hopefully MLS listens to Beckham, Ching and Dynamo officials.